so i need to take a shot which involves something being on fire which isnt (in any way) flammable.  I dont want to say what it is, because that will be the surprise when i post the image up.  But can anyone direct me in what would make something burn nicely.  I have tried petrol firelighter fluid (the stuff you get for zippo lighters) and it didnt even catch fire!

I thought that was a bit strange considering what it was used for, but then maybe it needs a wick of some sort.  So, not being a scientist in my spare time i dont know about octanes etc.  so can someone direct me to something which is easier to burn (liquid) than petrol firelighting fluid?  The other thing is i would need a nice yellow flame, and as i remember really flammable stuff like ethanol burns blue...

Anyone offer some advice?

I haven't got a clue, but am really interested to find out what the photo will look like when you eventually get it captured!!!

Sorry, no help here I'm afraid!!

so i had a brainwave and took the shot :biggrin:

Icefire

Explanation of what i actually did is in the shot description...

well i didnt want to raid my drinks cupboard

Yep rubbing l alcohol would be my suggestion..It does tend to burn rather blue..

I would think lighter fluid would have worked..

gasoline would be another choice..

perhaps not the safest one tho....

:-(

Lighter fluid and gasoline will be more of a orangish yellow

while alcohol based fluids will be more blue..

gun powder looks great, but..it's rather dangerous and the flames don't last very long..

here in the states you can get it with color additives...I like the green stuff my self..

back when I was younger..used to mess around with pyro for bands..

Lotsa fun !!!  

Yeppie, gunpowder does do a fine job of a very large and intense flame...and it does goe fast!  A lasting fire?  I will wait and see what you come up with.

Here's the thread!

I guess this would be for future use at this point:
Paint thinner - doesn't let off too much in the way of smoke.
Gasoline - better be outdoors as it lets off a LOT of smoke that is toxic.
Kerosine (sp?) - not too much smoke.

Get something in the vicinity of 1/60th at f5.6-8 and you can get density in the flames. Enough so that you can change the colors pretty well in Photoshop (so it almost doesn't matter if it's blue or orange - that's easily changed). Hit f11 or deeper and the flames start to be wispy. Get f4 or wider and it starts to blow out entirely (based on 1/60th - vary the f-stop accordingly based on shutterspeed).

Good luck in future endeavors - your shot is excellent!
-Lew ;-)

How about lamp oil. Oil lamps have a nice yellow flame.